More Of That "Special Kind Of Stupid"...



Time to take another page from the Crimestoppers Notebook here. A few weeks ago, I told about the man busted for marijuana possession while blaring his POLICE SCANNER (not the brightest crayon in the box, eh?), and today, we have yet another example of why Fort Wayne is the way it is.
That special kind of stupid that by definition infers that: What's right is what's left after you've done everything else wrong.

Just before 1700 hrs ( 5PM to you civilians) on Saturday, FWPD responded to a holdup alarm at a gas station at 6205 Illinois Rd. The employee there stated to police that the robber had just fled on foot. The man was described as 5'10", thin build, black, wearing a black coat, black hat, and a baby blue towel or scarf over the bottom half of his face, according to the report.

Now that would (aside from the scarf) describe about EIGHTY PERCENT of the young black males that wander about our area every day, either on foot or in vehicles. So much for "individuality", hmm? Dress LIKE a thug/gangsta wannabe, and don't be the least bit surprised when the police (or anyone else) "think" you are, right? Bet if he was wearing a nice jacket or sport coat and some L.L. Bean pants with nice shoes, the police wouldn't have even said anything to him. Yep, it's STILL called "criminal profiling", folks! It's also called keeping a LOW profile.
But I digress...

Police followed some footprints across the street to a STEAK N SHAKE restaurant east of the gas station and proceeded to question a group of people there. One man fit the description of the robber, and was found with a rather LARGE amount of cash (just a coincidence???) on him. He told police his name was DAMIAN ROSS, but the officers found that name to be an alias (add false reporting and obstructing an investigation to the charges) for 27 year old ARTHUR LEE SMITH, JR., the report said. Now although the surveillance video showed different shoes and pants from the robber, Mr. Smith WAS arrested for an outstanding warrant (and that's not the GOOD outstanding, as in nicely done), and the aforementioned false reporting.

Mr. Smith didn't go to Washington, but he DID get to go to the Allen County Jail for 30 days to ponder his decision-making processes that led to his resisting arrest, being an UNLICENSED DRIVER, making an unsafe lane change (which happens when you don't really take time to LEARN to drive), and that one count of false reporting (oops, he did it again).

Police did not "believe" Ross/Smith to be the gas station robber.

Now....aside from all the obvious flaws connected to the logic involved here, doesn't Mr. Ross/Smith still qualify for the "dee-de-deeee" award of the week for his actions? I sure as hell think so. Actually, I think he probably IS the robber. Allow me to elucidate:

First, he fit the INITIAL description, except for the shoes and pants. These 2 items can quickly AND readily be "disposed of", especially with the type of pants that have snaps down the legs that can be literally pulled off in a moment. Shoes can be switched at the drop of a hat with someone nearby, or just tossed away (with another pair in the car). The area should have been searched for such. And I seriously doubt the shoes worn in the robbery were NEW (and expensive), as were the ones Mr. Ross/Smith probably was wearing at the restaurant.

Second, how often do YOU go to Steak N Shake with a wad of CASH when a mere $20 or a credit card will suffice?

Third, the owner of the vehicle he was "driving" should be brought up on charges for allowing an unlicensed person behind the damn wheel, placing innocent people AT RISK.

Lastly, when the police "axe" you a question...tell them the damn TRUTH, stupid...unless you DO have something to hide (which Mr. Ross/Smith did), adding to whatever situation you're trying to avoid (which he did not).

It's this blatant disrespect for authority with a badge that gets these people in trouble, and it's not born from years of oppression OR poverty; It's born from a sub-culture imbued mindset that "thinks" they can get away with anything (and should), when in fact, it's more difficult to do so every day. They just haven't gotten up to speed in that regard. It's folly to insult the intelligence of a law enforcement officer when we PAY them to openly carry a gun (and teach them how to use it). Hell, most all of them have some college, and many now have a degree (or two).
At least Mr Ross/Smith has some time (30 days) to mull his life choices (to date) over. So when you have an outstanding warrant...don't even TRY to bluff your ass off to the police...that only adds to your troubles.

Let that be the lesson learned today....